Politically minded fashionistas join Gray announcement

14th and U Street may not be the city's fashion district, but it was close Tuesday during Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray's campaign kickoff in front of the Reeves Center.

While most of the 60 supporters who flocked to see Gray were African-American men and women over the age of 50, there were a few glaring, twentysomething exceptions.

Christine Brooks-Cropper, president of the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber Commerce, brought a quartet of models -- dressed for the runway -- to the announcement to support Gray. In an interview, Brooks-Cooper said the city needs "change," so it's time for a mayor who has a commitment to fashion and the arts.

"The creative community, and the emerging markets here, definitely need more support in Washington, D.C., so we can put our footprint here and create our presence here," Brooks-Cropper said. "We are looking for the appropriate candidate to progress us forward."

According to their Web sites the GWFCC is the "sole voice" for fashion in the District, Maryland and Virginia. In addition to sponsoring shows, Brooks-Cropper was the program director of Camp Runway, a fashion summer camp for youth who are paid to learn a trade in the fashion industry.

Brooks-Cropper and the models, with help from Gray's son, eased into center stage during Gray's official announcement.

According to video shot by The Washington Post's Hamil R. Harris, Gray's son, Vincent Carlos, can be seen ushering the models into place behind his father for the television cameras.

At one point, the models can be seen pushing past the daughter another District icon, Chuck Brown, the king of go-go music. Several of the models said they were inspired to get more involved in government because of First Lady Michelle Obama's success in merging fashion and politics.

"It is great union," said Tashia Senn, creative director and owner of Tashia Senn Collections, who outfitted the models for the occasion. "In order for fashion to be successful it has to collaborate with politics."